Lemon tree not blooming: causes and tips

A lack of flowering often indicates health problems in the tree. We explain what you can do if your lemon tree is not blooming.

Who a lemon tree (citrus x lemon) who of course also wants to harvest his own lemons. In order for the sour fruits to ripen, the tree must of course first bloom profusely. But not every lemon tree shares the opinion of its owner that it has flowers to bear. With a little background knowledge, you can understand your tree better and, with a bit of luck, convince it to flower.

fertilization of the lemon tree

Once the lemon tree has started to flower, many of the numerous blossoms will eventually ripen into juicy tart lemons. However, this only happens when the flowers have been fertilized. Fortunately, lemon trees are self-pollinating. The plants therefore do not need a second tree to bear fruit. Nevertheless, the pollen has to get to the stigma somehow. Otherwise lemon trees cannot bloom. If the tree is outside, wind and insects do the work. However, if you stay at home all year round, you should give them a little help. A little jerking on the trunk from time to time is usually enough. If the flowers have been fertilized, you can see this soon after they have faded when the little lemons form.

An overview of the different types of pollination you'll find here.

Flowering time of the lemon tree

Stimulated by the rising temperatures after leaving the winter quarters, the first buds soon appear, which quickly open as pure white flowers. From this point on, more and more flowers can appear throughout the summer, so that the Lemon tree decorated with ripening lemons, soft pink buds and white flowers at the same time will. The flowering period is only over for the time being in autumn and winter, when the tree goes into hibernation. However, the small white flowers adorn the plant even in some winters - especially with the popular 'four seasons' lemon.

Lemon tree not blooming: Possible causes

But many a lemon tree does not bloom in spring, although it should actually show the first flowers. As is so often the case, there are various reasons for this.

• The winter quarters: Lemon trees that wintered cooler and darker bloom much later than those that wintered light and a little warmer. If the winter quarters were too dark or cold, there may be no flowering at all.
• leaf fall: If the lemon tree has lost too many leaves in the past year or even in winter quarters, this indicates a care error. The tree now needs all of its energy in the spring to form new leaves. As a result, it could be that the lemon tree will no longer bloom this year.
  The right location is crucial here, but watering and fertilizing also play an important role. tips for fertilizing lemon trees you'll find here.
• Age of the plant: If your tree has never flowered, the age of the plant could be the problem. In our Central European regions, the lemon is a real late bloomer. The plant becomes sexually mature and begins to bear flowers at the earliest from the age of seven to eight years.
• Barren Seed: It is tempting to think of growing your own tree from the seed of a lemon you have bought. In itself this is a wonderful idea, but unfortunately not every one of the pupils is capable of bearing flowers or even fruit. Infertile hybrids are often used to grow lemons, as these hybrids produce better yields than open-pollinated varieties. The hybrid crosses bear fruit, but the offspring from the seeds of the lemon trees often do not flower.

What to do if my lemon tree doesn't bloom?

Depending on the reason for the lack of flowering, one or the other can be done to help the lemon to flower beautifully in the future.

• More suitable winter quarters: Give your lemon tree a little more light and warmth in winter. Like the perfect winter quarters for them Overwintering your lemon tree you can find out in our special article.
• Better care: The lemon tree does not like wet soil and dry air in winter attracts pests that weaken the tree. The cause of leaf fall and yellow leaves on the lemon tree lies in the wrong care. Proper care is therefore crucial for the tree to regain its strength and thus flower.
• More light: Choosing a suitable location is essential. Your lemon tree should be outside in the sun as long as temperatures allow. Only if the plant receives enough light will it flower. In the house or behind panes of glass, the incidence of light is drastically reduced. Even in the winter quarters, as much light as possible should reach the plant.
• refine: If your little tree is still too young, there is not much that can be done. Only waiting helps. In the future it is recommended to use a refined buy a lemon tree. Here, the scion of an already flowering lemon plant is grafted onto the rootstock grown from a seed. The plant is thus robbed of its youth and soon begins to flower. Refinement also helps against infertile offspring. Unfortunately, you first need the branch of a strong and fruiting lemon tree as scion.

• Using Fertile Seeds: Use a selected lemon seed to grow a lemon tree. You might find the fruit of a real lemon variety at a market, not a hybrid lemon. Otherwise, it helps to ask friends if someone has a fruiting lemon tree at home and could bring a seed.

If the lemon tree is dissatisfied, it tends to get yellow leaves. You can find out about possible causes and what you can do about them in our special article on the subject yellow leaves on lemon tree.